Friday, August 11, 2006

PAKISTAN: SECURITY ALERT DECLARED FOR AUGUST 14

Islamabad, 11 August (AKI/DAWN) - A red alert has been declared in Pakistan after the government received intelligence reports that sabotage activities can take place on the Independence Day on Monday, 14 August, in reaction to the Mumbai blasts, a senior government official told the Pakistani daily Dawn on Thursday. "In view of intelligence reports, a red alert has been declared in Islamabad in particular and in the whole county in general to foil such attempts," the official said.The reports, he said, had been circulated to all provinces, district governments and other departments concerned and law enforcement agencies so that they could take foolproof security measures in their respective areas.

The government has already changed the venue of the flag hoisting ceremony to be attended by Pakistani prime minister Shaukat Aziz from the Parade Ground (in front of the Parliament House) to the Convention Centre.

It is expected that troops will be called out in the capital to provide security to citizens on the occasion of the Independence Day.

The official said the security of diplomats has been further tightened in the wake of intelligence reports and an abortive terrorism plot in the UK that was foiled on Thursday.